Why is a Model 66 S&W not called a 619?

ApacheCoTodd · Mar 9, 2020

I figure the S&W geniuses must know this.

It's certainly not a big issue but it is a curiosity to me as I had one of each out for work last night.

I know that the 619 7-shot variant was spontaneously introduced much later but why wasn't a 66 called a 619 from the get-go?

Todd.

reddog81 · Mar 9, 2020

When did S&W start using the 3 digit model #'s starting with a 6 to signify a stainless model? (Maybe late 1970's???) I'm guessing it happened after the introduction of the 66. Same thing for the model 60. The stainless model 10 should be a 610, however that number ended up eventually going on the 10MM N frame gun...

Why is a Glock 45 a 9mm and a Glock 22 is a .40, while a Glock 40 is a 10mm. and the new Glock 44 is a .22... I have to assume the people coming up with model numbers just pick something they think will sound good.

AustinTX · Mar 9, 2020

I think it’s just a simple matter of S&W not having decided to use this model numbering convention before the introduction of the Model 629 in 1979.

All of S&W’s early stainless revolvers received model numbers that bore no relation to those of their carbon steel counterparts — in addition to the Model 66, the Model 60 (a stainless Model 36), the Model 64 (a stainless Model 10), and the Model 65 (a stainless Model 13) were numbered in this fashion.

CajunBass · Mar 9, 2020

And the Model 67, a SS Model 15.

Mosin Bubba · Mar 9, 2020

reddog81 said:
When did S&W start using the 3 digit model #'s starting with a 6 to signify a stainless model? (Maybe late 1970's???) I'm guessing it happened after the introduction of the 66. Same thing for the model 60. The stainless model 10 should be a 610, however that number ended up eventually going on the 10MM N frame gun...

Why is a Glock 45 a 9mm and a Glock 22 is a .40, while a Glock 40 is a 10mm. and the new Glock 44 is a .22... I have to assume the people coming up with model numbers just pick something they think will sound good.

A Glock 17 is the full-size 9, a Glock 19 is the compact 9, a Glock 20 is the 10mm... after that I give up. You win, Gaston.

bannockburn · Mar 9, 2020

Todd

I get what your saying as my Model 649 was the stainless version of the Model 49 but why is my Model 638 also given the "6" designation even though it's frame is made out of aluminum alloy; same as the original Model 38! Shouldn't it be a 438 but wait, that designation already goes to the alloy frame version with a black finish (not that I ever saw any of these models anyways). The 638 does have a stainless cylinder and barrel so the "6" prefix is valid but still it's a bit confusing at times!

AustinTX · Mar 9, 2020

CajunBass said:
And the Model 67, a SS Model 15.

Indeed. Knew I was missing (at least) one.

AZAndy · Mar 9, 2020

reddog81 said:
I'm guessing it happened after the introduction of the 66. Same thing for the model 60. The stainless model 10 should be a 610, however that number ended up eventually going on the 10MM N frame gun...

Wouldn't a stainless 10 be a 64?

My speculation is that it went like this:
Bob: "Hey, we should do a stainless version of the 25."
Ferd: "Great idea-- can't call it the 65, though, we already have that."
Bob: "Okay, we'll add a digit to indicate stainless. 625 it is!"

And thus, similarly, the Airlights got a "3," hence my beloved 325. Now, if they wanted to make an Airlight in .45 with a non-blued finish, what would they call that? 3625? 6325? Now my head hurts.

9mmepiphany · Mar 9, 2020

The reason it wasn';t named the 619 is because at the time it was introduced S&W hadn't introiduced the 3 digit system and all stainless steel revolvers got unique numbers in the 60 series,,,there is one exception that you'll see in the list later

AustinTX said:
Indeed. Knew I was missing (at least) one.

Maybe more than one

M-60 - stainless M-36
M-61 - .22lr caliber semi-auto pistol available in blued or nickle
M-62 - number never used
M-63 - stainless M-34
M-64 - stainless M-10
M-65 - stainless M-13
M-67 - stainless M-15
M-68 - M-67 with 6" barrel following profile of the M-66 (when the M-68 was introduced the 6" barrel wasn't available on the M-66)

cfullgraf · Mar 10, 2020

Just when you think you have S&W Model numbers figured out, there comes an exception. You really need a "cheat sheet" to keep stuff in order.

In terms of two digit stainless model numbers, don't forget the Model 69 (44 Magnum L-frame). I guess this was to distinguish the model from the Model 696, the L-frame 44 Special made around 2000 or so.

9mmepiphany · Mar 10, 2020

cfullgraf said:
don't forget the Model 69 (44 Magnum L-frame). I guess this was to distinguish the model from the Model 696, the L-frame 44 Special made around 2000 or so.

I hate that they went back to fill in that blank, but I guess they backed themselves into a corner by already having used 669 for the Gen2 stainless mini-9mm semiauto. Since the M-39 and M-59 already existed, it made sense to use 69 for the cut down versions; but then S&W changed to the 3-digit numbering system and we ended up with the M-469 and M- 669

Jonesy814 · Mar 10, 2020

There is really no rhyme or reason to S&W revolver model numbers

Riomouse911 · Mar 11, 2020

Or Glocks, or Remington long guns... my 721 predates the 700... and I have no idea how the Sportsman 58 evolved into the 1100.

Stay safe.

9mmepiphany · Mar 11, 2020

Riomouse911 said:
Or Glocks

Glocks are actually the most logical. They are numbered according to how they were introduced. So, the G17 was Gaston Glock's 17th designed/manufactured product....followed by the G18 and G19

ApacheCoTodd · Mar 11, 2020

9mmepiphany said:
Glocks are actually the most logical. They are numbered according to how they were introduced. So, the G17 was Gaston Glock's 17th designed/manufactured product....followed by the G18 and G19

Sure, that's all well & good if you know or remember the order.

Then, add to that the fact that they have guns coinciding with a caliber number that they are NOT. :cuss:

Example: A 40 isn't a .40 (though in an ordinal twist of irony, it IS a .40 Magnum

)
A .40 caliber Glock is a 22 but a .22 cal Glock is a 44 though they fortunately don't make a .44 cal Glock..... yet. :evil:

Yup, logic reigns *perfectly* supreme over there. :neener:

Todd.

Waveski · Mar 11, 2020

Jonesy814 said:
There is really no rhyme or reason to S&W revolver model numbers

Agreed. The Model 60 could have been designated model 36S (for stainless) , but that would have made too much sense.

reddog81 · Mar 11, 2020

9mmepiphany said:
Glocks are actually the most logical. They are numbered according to how they were introduced. So, the G17 was Gaston Glock's 17th designed/manufactured product....followed by the G18 and G19

It might be when the design was started but it's certainly not based upon when they were introduced. The 48 came out last Jan. and the 44 came out this year.

9mmepiphany · Mar 11, 2020

I guess "designed" would have been a more accurate term.

The G44 did have a longer gestation period than expected...it had been rumored for a long time...which isn't surprising when diving into the design of a rimfire pistol. I'm thinking the "reserved" the "44" for it based on when they thought they'd be able to bring it to market...and it just stuck.

My guess would be that the holdup was magazine based

sgt127 · Mar 11, 2020

9mmepiphany said:
M-67 - stainless M-15
M-68 - M-67 with 6" barrel following profile of the M-66 (when the M-68 was introduced the 6" barrel wasn't available on the M-66)

The 68 was really an interesting gun. Was it a model K-38 stainless with an under lug or a model 66 in .38 Special?

It was kind of a politically correct gun in name only really as they loaded it with screaming +P+ rounds that were, for all practical purposes a .357 Magnum.

The other one that was completely off the charts was the Model 73. A six shot snubby built on the C frame to compete with Colts Detective Special.

Rare would be an understatement.

9mmepiphany · Mar 11, 2020

sgt127 said:
The 68 was really an interesting gun. Was it a model K-38 stainless with an under lug or a model 66 in .38 Special?

Quite a hot topic of discussion when the CHP adopted it as their first issued revolver. I talked to their distributer and he told me it was the M-67 frame and cylinder.

Their issued ammo was the 110gr JHP Treasury Load

ArchAngelCD · Mar 11, 2020

For a while there was a M619 and M620 being produced. They were both L frames, not K frames and they were 7 shooters.

The M619 was the L frame substitute for the M65 K frame and the M620 L frame was the substitute for the M66 K frame.

38riverrat · Mar 11, 2020

And then, there is my 8 shot, 22LR, Airlight. It's a M43C!! What's a "C"?

Best,
Rick

Brian Williams · Mar 12, 2020

Then you have a 40, followed by a 640, then 940, then 340...

Why is a Model 66 S&W not called a 619?

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